Governor Declares September 18 as Fall Prevention Day

Falls are fatal for older adults more often in Washington than in most states, according to a recent report from Governor Christine Gregoire’s cabinet. In fact, in the state of Washington, there are four times as many hospitalizations due to falls among senior citizens than hospitalizations due to motor vehicle accidents for all ages combined. Additionally, 30 percent of residential fire deaths occur in adults over the age of 65.

Considering that Washington has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the country, the impact this has on our state’s health care system, Emergency Medical System and the quality of life of our senior citizens is significant.

To help reduce the number of falls and residential fires with older adults, the King County Fire and Life Safety Association, Healthy Aging Partnership (HAP), and Public Health Seattle King County, Emergency Medical Services Division have teamed up to create the Safe Steps program. Safe Steps is a county-wide effort to increase awareness about the risk factors of falls and fires, and to educate the community on effective ways to prevent them.

Governor Gregoire has proclaimed September 18, 2008, as Fall Prevention Day. Therefore, a major focal point of the Safe Steps: Health, Safety and Independence for Seniors campaign will be a series of educational community events held September 18 to 27 throughout King County. These events will be open to the public and will give community members the chance to learn what measures they can take to prevent falls and fires.

During these ten days, events such as community fairs, fall risk assessments, footwear checks and free fall screenings will be hosted by numerous community organizations.

"By attending one of the many Safe Steps organized events in your area, you can learn how to reduce your risk for falls and fires in your home," says Lisa Garvich of Renton Fire and Emergency Services.

Ms. Garvich says older adults can take four steps to significantly reduce their risk of falling:

• Begin a regular exercise program.
• Have your vision checked regularly.
• Have your health care provider review your medications.
• Take specific measures to make your home safer, such as installing grab bars where necessary and removing small throw rugs.

For fire prevention, make sure smoke alarms are installed and maintained on every floor of your home, pay special attention to your cooking, heat your home safely by keeping furniture away from heaters, and have a plan for what to do and how to escape in the event of a fire.

Many falls and fire-related injuries can be prevented. For more tips on what you can do to protect yourself or those around you, visit www.kcsafesteps.org.

Safe Steps Fire and Fall Prevention Fairs will be held throughout King County from September 18-27. Events will offer a variety of fall and fire prevention activities such as:

• Fall and balance screening risk assessments
• Footwear checks
• Visual screening and handouts
• Medication screening
• Home safety assessment
• Fire and safety info and blood pressure checks
• Info on local resources for fall prevention

Contact the site for more details about what specific activities will be available:

Thursday, September 18

Ballard NW Senior Activity Center
5429 32nd Avenue NW, Seattle
206-598-5370
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Haborview Medical Center
325 -  9th Avenue, Seattle
206-598-5370
12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle
206-684-7481
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Northshore Senior Center
10212 E. Riverside Drive, Bothell
206-598-5370
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

UW Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific, Seattle
206-598-5370
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

UW Roosevelt Clinic
4245 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
206-598-5370,
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wallingford Community Senior Center
The Good Shepherd Center, Ste. 100
4649 Sunnyside Avenue N., Seattle
206-461-7825
9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday, September 19

Sno-Valley Senior Center
4610 Stephens Avenue, Carnation
425-333-4152,
11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 23

Factoria Mall (Sponsored by Overlake Hospital and the Bellevue Fire Department)
4033 Factoria Square Mall SE, Bellevue
425-688-5800
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

City of Auburn Senior Citizen Center
808 - 9th Street SE, Auburn
253-931-3016
1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland
425-587-3360
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Renton Senior Center
211 Burnett Avenue N., Renton
425-430-6633
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Senior Center of West Seattle,
4217 SW Oregon Street, Seattle
206-932-4044
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24

Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St., Seattle
206-297-0875
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kent Senior Activity Center
600 E. Smith Street, Kent
253-856-5150
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, September 25

North Bellevue Community Center
4063 -148th NE, Bellevue
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Rainier Vista Senior Apartments
134 - 3rd Avenue S.E., Pacific
253-804-6186
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

South East Senior Center
4655 S. Holly, Seattle
206-722-0317
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, September 26

Valley Medical Center
400 South 43rd Street, Renton
425-226-4653
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 27
Jefferson Terrace
800 Jefferson Street, Seattle
206-224-3793
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Paramount Park
15000 - 10th Avenue NE, Shoreline
206-533-6584
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Reprinted with permission from the September 2008 I&A Passport Newsletter from Senior Services